James m



JAMES M. KEEP, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CARD-RACK.

Specification forming part ofLetters Patent No. 58,428, dated October 2, 1866; antedated September 18, 1866.

exact description of my card-rack, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the card-rack complete, and Figs. 2 and 3 perspective views of detached portions of the same.

My invention consists in a novel manner of constructing and arranging a card rack or frame of wood or other suitable material, composed of one principal or outside frame, the inner space of which is divided by cross bars or strips, running parallel to eaclr other from opposite sides. Upon these strips are attached clips or iin gers for holding cards, which clips may be round or liat, and. made of metal, horn,

wood, or other suitable material. At either end of the frame, and across the parallel bars, is attached an alphabetical reference, this combination making up a card-rack complete, as shown at Fig. 1, the object of which is to furnish a neat, simple, and convenient contrivance for holding businesscards or for similar purposes, and to have the same so constructed that it may be easily taken apart., closely packed for transportation, and conveniently readjusted at pleasure.

My invention also consists in the combination and relative arrangement of the springs or lingers, shaped so as to have either a curved or angular conguration, so that each spring shall have a bearing-surface upon the crown or swell of the spring next above.

The springs, as shown in the drawings, have their lower ends turned or bent outward, so

` as to afford a support upon which the cards when placed in the rack can rest.

Instead, however, of thus bending the ends,

pins or plates, or other stopping device separate from the springs and of suitable size, may be attached to the bars, serving the same purpose as the bent ends of the springs.

In the drawings I have endeavored to illustrate a convenient mode of constructing this card rack in a portable or separable form, the details of which will be readily understood by the following description, and are fully eX- empliiied 'by the model accompanying the drawings.

Fig. 1 represents the card-rack entire and ready for use.

A represents the principal or outer frame, made with the ordinary ruiter-joints, held together by means ot' a lock or dovetail tenon and mortise, as shown at Figs. 2 and 3.

The cross bars or strips B B are framed in with the ordinary tenon and mortise.

The tablet D, with its alphabetical reference, is also framed in at each end.

Upon the cross bars or strips are attached the spring or elastic clips or fingers C C, for holding cards, in such a manner that the tip or upper end of one of the clips shall rest upon the crown of the one above it.

The various parts of the frame as above described, being put together as shown at Fig. 1, are brought to their proper bearings and firmly secured in their places by the screw-rod E, passing through the upper end, and screwinginto the lower end of the frameA.

Instead of employing the` screw-rod E, hooks may be arranged at the corners of the frame to hold the top, bottom, and sides together, or other suitable means may be employed. The frame also, instead of being detachable,-

.may be permanently framed together, and

made of such material as will serve the ends desired.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The springs for holding cards, when constructed and arranged, relatively to each other and to the tablet or other surface to which they are secured, as herein described, so that each spring shall bear upon the swell or crown of the succeeding spring immediately above, as and for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination in a card-rack of the springs, constructed and arranged as above described, with the frame A, bars B, and al phabetieal reference or tablet, substantially as hereinbefore shown and set forth.

3. Constructing a card-rack of separable and detachable parts, as described, and so that said rack may be easily taken apart andreadily readjusted, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.

J. Ml. KEEP.

Witnesses:

GEO. E. J EwETT, H. P. REYNOLDS.

UNITED STATES PATENT CEEIGEa 

